Bayern's Kompany expects 'total battle' against Leverkusen in Cup
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany leads a training session at the training facility on Saebener Strasse ahead of Wednesday's UEFA Champions League Quarter-final Second Leg soocer match against Real Madrid. Sven Hoppe/dpa Bayern Munich are expecting a tough duel at Bayer Leverkusen in Wednesday's German Cup semi-final despite their own strong form and their opponents' slump, coach Vincent Kompany said on Tuesday. "What we have experienced there was always a total battle.
We do not expect anything else and that is what we want," Kompany told a news conference. Bayern have not reached the German Cup final since 2020, when they beat Leverkusen 4-2 under coronavirus conditions in the almost empty Olympic Stadium in Berlin. It was part of a sextuple of titles, something the Bavarians are also looking to achieve this year having already wrapped up the Bundesliga title.
Last season the record Cup winners were knocked out in the last 16 against Leverkusen, losing 1-0. Asked whether the memory of that defeat was special motivation, Kompany replied: "It is not about revenge. " Leverkusen are having a disappointing season and are in danger of missing out on the Champions League places in the Bundesliga.
They have managed only three wins in their past 12 competitive matches since the end of February, with three defeats and six draws. With Germany international Serge Gnabry out for the season for Bayern, playmaker Jamal Musiala is set to come more into focus as he nears full fitness following last year's leg break. Kompany stopped short of saying he would start at Leverkusen but said: "My opinion is that he is now also physically, not only in terms of strength but also in terms of willingness to run, already very close to his best level.
"So running, pressing, the way we do it, he can do that now. Going into tackles, he can do that. And then there is only the question: when will this Magic Musiala return that people remember, Jamal at his very best?